Omnitrans, Ontario celebrate transfer station

ONTARIO - Tuesday's opening of the new Civic Center Transfer Station was celebrated with a quick bus ride.

Ontario and Omnitrans officials took the ride around downtown to see the bus shelter and accessibility improvements at seven bus stops near the Civic Center, adjacent to City Hall. The $520,000 project also included relocation and consolidation of bus stops.

"This station provides vital transportation services to more than 500 commuters each day, taking community members (to) work, school, home, shopping or recreational destinations," said Milo Victoria, Omnitrans' CEO and general manager.

"Five Omnitrans routes will help residents to connect with their community."

The relocation of two stops around the Civic Center provides easy access to City Hall, the Senior Center, Ovitt Family Community Library as well as the University of La Verne Law School, Victoria said.

The two stops are between D Street and Holt Avenue along Euclid, Holt and Sultana avenues.

The station is part of Ontario's plan to enhance transportation access for residents and the business community, Mayor Paul Leon said at a ceremony Tuesday morning at City Hall.

More important, Leon said, the project provides a connection to five Omnitrans routes, access to the Amtrak station at 198 E. Emporia St. and access to the future extension of the Metro Gold Line and Metrolink.

Victoria said Omnitrans is pleased to be Ontario's partner in creating a Civic Center that will support multimodal transportation and foster train and bus connections.

The vision also includes a proposed Omnitrans rapid- transit bus line along Holt and Euclid.

Victoria said Ontario and Omnitrans have been partners since the agency's beginning 36 years ago.

"These trips will be more convenient and enjoyable thanks to the reorganization and upgrade that has been provided," Victoria said.